A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films in Turkey Vedat AKMAN Beykent University, akmanvedat@yahoo.com Volume 1.1 (2011): 20-33 ISSN 2159-2411(print) 2158-8724(online) DOI 10.5195/cinej.2011.14 Abstract This study aims to explore the influence of various variables affecting the production of migration themed short films in Turkey. We proceeded to our analysis using descriptive statistics to describe the main futures of the sample data quantitatively. Due to non-uniformity of the data available, we were unable to use inductive statistics. Our basic sample statistical results indicated that short film producers prefered to produce short films on domestic migration theme rather than international. Gender and university seemed on surface as significant determinants to the production of migration themed short films in Turkey. We also looked at the demografic variables to provide more insights into our quantitative approach. Key Words: Immigration, Short Film, Diversity This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. This journal is published by the University Library System of the University of Pittsburgh as part of its D-Scribe Digital Publishing Program and is cosponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Press.
A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films in Turkey Vedat Akman 1. Introduction In Turkey, between years 2009 and 2010 alone, 1727 short films of which 433 were documentary, 89 animation, 79 experimental and 1126 fiction which participated in short film festivals or competitions around the country 1. (Çölaşan, 2011) The only possible way to collect concrete data on short films made in Turkey was to follow shortfilm websites, shortfilm festival websites, publications and associations. Unfortunately, there was no concrete or complete continues data available on short films made in Turkey due to following reasons; lack of enough information on the festival websites, irregular disclosure of the short films participating or winning in festivals, and regularity of false information about entries. (Çölaşan, 2011) We were bound by above mentioned limitation in our efforts to collect and analyse our sample data 2. Figure 1: Short Films Sorted Year (Source: http://www.kisafilm.com/liste.htm) 1 http://www.kisafilm.com/liste.htmn (05.31.2011) 2 http://www.kisafilm.com/liste.htmn (05.31.2011) CINEJ Cinema Journal : A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films in Turkey 20
2. Background The War Veterans' Association of Turkey was among the first PA to produce a series of short films before it ceased producing films in 1921. (Yaren, 2007) PA s are crucial in the organisation and formation of the film industry in general, these boards, foundations and societies working within the framework of the cinema industry are: (SESAM) Union of Professional Owners of Cinema Works; (SED) Cinema Workers' Association; (TÜRKSAK) Turkish Cinema and Audiovisual Cultural Foundation; (FİLM-YÖN) Film Directors' Association; (SODER) Cinema Actors' Association; (SİYAD) Cinema Writers' Association; and ÇASOD Modern Actors and Actresses Association. In 1990 With the participation of 203 experts from the cinema, press, universities and business circles, the Turkish Cinema and Audiovisual Culture Foundation was established. 2.1. Literature Literature on immigration themed short films are: (Shohat, 1994; Göktürk, 1999; Bergfelder, 2005; Naficy, 2001; Yaren, 2007) Immigration short film focuse are: discrimination (Fratricide Brudermord, 2005); racism (La Haine, 1995; Beautiful People, 1999), isolation (Palermo oder Wolfsburg, 1980; Zwischen den Sternen, 2002), gender (Smith, 2010), conflict of cultures and generations (L honneur de ma famille/ailemin Namusu, 1997; Le Grand Voyage, 2004); integration problem (Zozo, 2005), identity (Hamlet Kardesler, 1996); society pressure (Bend It Like Beckham, 2002), females (Sirin in Dügünü, 1976; 40 m² Germany, 1986; Yasemin, 1988); unemployment and poverty (Kanak Attack, 2000). (Yaren, 2007) 3. Methodology 3.1. Sample Our purpose is to identify a concise list of variables representative of immigration themed short film production in Turkey. We used SPSS statistic data analysis program. Our analyses included descriptive statistics. We hope to gain an initial understanding of the relationship between the variables influencing the production of immigration themed short films in Turkey. ProductionYear Date of Birth Time Gender University Faculty Theme n Valid 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 Missing 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 CINEJ Cinema Journal : A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films 21
We eliminated n:50 out of N:960 of which were all short film selections between 1990-2011. 3 We tried to complete for the missing information of our selected sample data (according to our selected theme immigration ) to complete and get more acurate picture from our quantitative approach to better understanding varibles influencing migration themed short film production in Turkey. Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid 1990-1995 1 1,7 2,0 2,0 1996-1999 2 3,4 4,0 6,0 2000-2005 23 39,7 46,0 52,0 2006-2010 23 39,7 46,0 98,0 2011-1 1,7 2,0 100,0 Total 50 86,2 100,0 Missing System 8 13,8 Total 58 100,0 3.2. Instruments The data collected from the main pool of 960 short films produced between years 1997 and 2011 was analysed using describtive statistic method. We could only find by immigration themed around n:50 selections among the the pool of N:960 short films. 4 We took immigration theme in two segments domestic and international. We approached each with crosstabulation of variables influencing theme selection. Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid International 10 17,2 20,0 20,0 Domestic 40 69,0 80,0 100,0 Total 50 86,2 100,0 Missing System 8 13,8 Total 58 100,0 3 http://www.kisafilm.com/liste.htm (05.31.2011) 4 http://www.kisafilm.com/liste.htm (05.31.2011) 22 CINEJ Cinema Journal: Vedat AKMAN
In our descriptive cross-analysis among the two segments of migration themed short films produced between years 1998-2011, in our sample selection of n:50, domestic migration clearly attracted more attention from short film producers in Turkey. Our univariate analysis, involving the examination across cases of one variable at a time, helped us understand the characteristics of each the variables in our study. Our approach is clearly distinguished from inferential statistics which requires more concrete data in which our case not avaliable. 4. Analysis and Results Demographic data were also summarized to provide insights into the nature of the short fim producers. Our demographics included gender, age, educational attainment, and location. According to our analysis time of the short films on average (46,6%) were between 1-10 minutes and rarely 6% above 30 minutes. According to our overview of short film festival submission procedures in general, maximum 20-30 minutes seemed to be the ideal time period which is also consistent with our findings. Time Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid <1 3 5,2 6,0 6,0 1-2 4 6,9 8,0 14,0 3-4 15 25,9 30,0 44,0 5-10 8 13,8 16,0 60,0 10-20 4 6,9 8,0 68,0 20-30 10 17,2 20,0 88,0 31-40 2 3,4 4,0 92,0 >41 4 6,9 8,0 100,0 Total 50 86,2 100,0 Missing System 8 13,8 Total 58 100,0 For our sample group male short film makers seem more dominant in producing migration themed short films in Turkey. Gender imbalances also seem to be effective in short film theme selection and production process. A further study here seems relevant for the future of short films. Study released by the Geena Davis CINEJ Cinema Journal : A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films 23
Institute 5 on Gender in Media 6 (Smith, 2010) about the under-representation of women and girls in movies (including directors, writers, and producers ) which 70.8% were male and 29.2% were female. (Smith, 2010) Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid,00 1 1,7 2,0 2,0 Male 31 53,4 62,0 64,0 Female 18 31,0 36,0 100,0 Total 50 86,2 100,0 Missing System 8 13,8 Total 58 100,0 Short film makers who have a degree from universities outside Istanbul, Ankara with 22,4%, leading the group. It seems short film makers in rural areas are more interested rather than their big city counter parts. Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Not Available (NA) 22 37,9 44,0 44,0 Ankara University 13 22,4 26,0 70,0 Marmara University 1 1,7 2,0 72,0 Istanbul University 3 5,2 6,0 78,0 Selçuk University 2 3,4 4,0 82,0 Anadolu University 1 1,7 2,0 84,0 Ege University 3 5,2 6,0 90,0 Çanakkale 18 Mart University 2 3,4 4,0 94,0 Sakarya University 1 1,7 2,0 96,0 5 http://www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org 6 Smith, Stacy, Gender Oppression in Cinematic Content? A Look at Females On-Screen & Behind-the- Camera in Top-Grossing 2007 Films, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, University of Southern California, 2010. 24 CINEJ Cinema Journal: Vedat AKMAN
Boğaziçi University 1 1,7 2,0 98,0 ODTÜ University 1 1,7 2,0 100,0 Total 50 86,2 100,0 Missing System 8 13,8 Total 58 100,0 Short film makers are graduate of various faculties, Communication and Radio & TV making 32,7% of the sample, from a dozen different fields. Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Not Avaiable (NA) 15 25,9 30,0 30,0 Communication 13 22,4 26,0 56,0 Literature 1 1,7 2,0 58,0 Fine Arts 3 5,2 6,0 64,0 Master 1 1,7 2,0 66,0 History 2 3,4 4,0 70,0 Architecture 1 1,7 2,0 72,0 Management 1 1,7 2,0 78,0 Sociology 3 5,2 6,0 80,0 Vocational 1 1,7 2,0 82,0 Relations International 1 1,7 2,0 84,0 Economics 1 1,7 2,0 86,0 Geology 1 1,7 2,0 88,0 Radio and TV 6 10,3 12,0 100,0 Total 50 86,2 100,0 Missing System 8 13,8 Total 58 100,0 4.2 Frequency Cross Analysis CINEJ Cinema Journal : A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films 25
In our case processing summary, time and choice of theme crosstabulation clearly shows the domestic migration related short films constitude 44% of the 1-10 minute time interval. For our sample in general the time rate was 46,6% for 1-10 minutes which makes our finding consistent. So that leaves only 25% of the domestic related migration short films with different time intervals from our sample pool. THEME International Domestic Total TIME 1 1 2 3-2 0 4 4 3-4 3 12 15 5-10 2 6 8 10-20 1 3 4 20-30 2 8 10 31-40 0 2 2 >41 1 3 4 Total 10 40 50 The gender and choice of theme crosstabulation clearly shows the domestic migration related short films constitude 40% of the male short film makers 27% of the domestic migration theme short films. For our sample in general the gender rate was 53,5% against 31% in favor of the male directors making immigration related short films. The university and choice of theme crosstabulation clearly shows the graduates of rural area universities (Ankara leading the way) held a strong grip on the making of domestic migration related short films. With the the domestic and international migration of 4 to 1 which is consistent with our previous statistic findings from the sample data pool. THEME International Domestic Total UNIVERSITY Not Avaiable (NA) 4 18 22 Ankara University 3 10 13 26 CINEJ Cinema Journal: Vedat AKMAN
Marmara University 0 1 1 Istanbul University 1 2 3 Selçuk University 0 2 2 Anadolu University 0 1 1 Ege University 1 2 3 University Çanakkale 18 Mart 1 1 2 Sakarya University 0 1 1 Boğaziçi University 0 1 1 ODTÜ University 0 1 1 Total 10 40 50 The choice of study (faculty) and choice of theme crosstabulation clearly shows the graduates of communication (12), literature(11) and radio & tv(6) graduates in order held a strong grip on the making of domestic migration related short films. With the the domestic and international migration of 5 to 1 which is consistent with our previous statistic findings from the sample data pool. The choice of making international immigration themed short film once again were modest and insufficient for our sample group n. THEME International Domestic Total FACULTY Not Avaiable (NA) 3 12 15 Communication 2 11 13 Literature 1 0 1 Fine Arts 1 2 2 Master 1 0 1 History 0 2 2 Architecture 0 1 1 Management 0 1 1 Sociology 0 3 3 Vocational 0 1 1 CINEJ Cinema Journal : A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films 27
International Relations 1 0 1 Economics 0 1 1 Jeoloji Fakültesi 0 1 1 Radyo TV Fakültesi 1 5 6 6 Total 10 40 50 The year of the making of the short film and choice of theme crosstabulation clearly shows the years between 2000-2005 (46%) and 2005-2010 (46%) with total of 92% of the short films between year 1990-2011. With the the domestic and international migration of 7 to 1 between years 2000-2005 and 3 to 1 between years 2005-2010 is also consistent with our previous statistic findings from the sample data pool. THEME International Domestic Total YEARS 1990-1995 0 1 1 1996-1999 1 1 2 2000-2005 3 20 23 2006-2010 6 17 23 2011-0 1 1 Total 10 40 50 4. Conclusion This study explores quantitative approach towards variables influencing short film producers selection of immigration theme. Regarding the frequency distribution of the data, there is almost absolute dominance of domestic immigration as the choice of theme in migration related short films. When we consider the possible variable that might have influence over the choice of theme such as gender, year, time, university and faculty, we see that males are three times more likely to select immigration theme with time interval 1-10 minutes. He is most likely to be a graduate of a rural university with a degree from communications, literature or radio & tv. The peak period according to our sample was between 2000-2010 and not before. So we can assume that short film production 28 CINEJ Cinema Journal: Vedat AKMAN
is gradually increasing and the selection of immigration theme is still in favor of domestic migration. The question than becomes how can we help to increase the production of immigration related short films in Turkey? If we consider our statistical findings from our small sample group n., we certainly need more concrete data to be collected on short films made in Turkey and related PA s, associations and organizations need to be more active and collective. Our research of the literature pointed us in the direction, where there was no ampirical or quantitative research on the topic of immigration in short films in Turkey. There is a clear lack of quantitative research on short films which this paper hopes to encourage others by generating facts through selected sample pool to provide useful data for further meaningful studies. References: Akman, V. (2006). A Journey to Oneness ; New York: Book Surge Publications. ---------- (2007). Global Immigrant Stories New NY Crossroads; Koridor Print House, Istanbul; 2007, pp.1-96; ---------- (2011). The Impact of International Labor Migration and Remittances on Turkey's Economic Growth, Istanbul: Yakamoz Publications. Bergfelder, T. (2005) National, Transnational or Supranational Cinema? Rethinking European Film Studies, Media, Culture and Society, 27(3), pp.315-331. Burns, R. (2007). Towards a Cinema of Cultural Hybridity: Turkish-German Filmmakers and the Representation of Alterity, Debatte: Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, 15(1), pp. 3-24. D. Derman, K. Ross and N. Dakovic eds. (2001) Mediated Identities, Istanbul: Bilgi University Press. Göktürk, D.,"Turkish Delight - German Fright: Migrant Identities in Transnational Cinema", ESRC Transnational Communities Research Programme, 1999; ( www.transcomm.ox.ac.uk) K. Ross ve D. Derman eds. Mapping the Margins: Identity Politics and the Media, Hampton Press, 2001. CINEJ Cinema Journal : A Quantitative Approach to Variables Affecting Production of Short Films 29
Smith, S. (2010) Gender Oppression in Cinematic Content? A Look at Females On-Screen Behind-the-Camera in Top-Grossing 2007 Films, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, University of Southern California, 2010. Özgür, Y. Y.(2007). "European Immigration Cinema", Ph.D dissertation, Turkish, Ankara: Ankara University. 30 CINEJ Cinema Journal: Vedat AKMAN